Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act
What does the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act do?
S 216 is a Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program identifies, prevents, and removes marine debris (including lost and discarded fishing gear) to protect the U.S. economy, marine environment, and navigation safety; the Marine Debris Foundation is the congressionally chartered nonprofit that raises private funds and runs grant programs alongside it. This bill restructures both — reorganizing the Marine Debris Act into subtitles, giving the NOAA Marine Debris Program authority to use "other agreements" and in-kind contributions, tightening Foundation governance (Board recommendations, Secretary of Commerce approval, a chief executive officer role, and location in the National Capital Region or a coastal shoreline community), adding Indian Tribe / Tribal Government engagement provisions, and reauthorizing the underlying Marine Debris Act through fiscal year 2029 with an additional $2M for fiscal year 2025.
Did S 216 pass? Where it stands
As of July 20, 2026, S 216 has been signed into law.
Status: Signed into Law
Latest vote: House Passed by voice vote on December 15, 2025
Outlook: Enacted
Key provisions
- What the Program & Foundation Do
- NOAA Marine Debris Program identifies, prevents, and removes marine debris nationwide
- Runs national/regional coordination with states, Tribes, and regional organizations
- Marine Debris Foundation raises private funds and awards grants alongside the program
- Program Modernization
- Adds "other agreements" to NOAA Marine Debris Program contracting authority
- Lets the Under Secretary contribute in-kind for non-grant, non-cooperative-agreement projects
- Reorganizes the Marine Debris Act into Subtitles A (NOAA/Coast Guard), B (Foundation), C (transferred), and D (Administration)
- Foundation Governance Overhaul
- Board must recommend candidates before Under Secretary appoints
- Director appointments now require Secretary of Commerce approval
- 6-year terms for appointed Directors
- Adds USAID Administrator to the Board's ex officio membership
- Foundation must locate its principal office in the National Capital Region or a coastal shoreline community
- New CEO Role
- Board appoints, reviews, and may remove the Foundation's chief executive officer
- Chief executive officer, in turn, appoints and reviews all Foundation officers and employees
- Tribal Engagement Added
- Foundation must develop best practices for outreach to Indian Tribes and Tribal Governments
- Includes technical assistance, capacity building, and awareness of grants
- Adds Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, regional organizations, and foreign governments to the list of authorized grant recipients
- Rule of construction: nothing satisfies government-to-government consultation or affects treaty rights
- Money & Reauthorization
- Adds $2M for fiscal year 2025 to the Marine Debris Foundation authorization
- Reauthorizes the underlying Marine Debris Act appropriations through fiscal year 2029
Last updated July 20, 2026